• Chong H Kim and Mohammed Issa.
• Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. wp34@hotmail.com
• Pain Physician. 2011 Jan 1;14(1):55-9.

BackgroundChronic renal pain secondary to uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is common but remains poorly understood. Patients with UPJO experience frequent infections, renal calculi and pain. Management options for patients with this condition are traditionally limited to surgical interventions to eliminate the obstruction. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) has gained widespread popularity for the treatment of numerous conditions from complex regional pain syndrome to failed back syndrome. With continued success, the possible use of SCS has steadily increased. Although a significant number of patients with severe chronic renal pain will transiently respond to analgesics and physical interventions such as autonomic sympathetic blocks, substantial long-term pain relief is usually lacking. SCS therefore might be a welcome addition to the treatment of moderate to severe chronic renal pain.ObjectiveThis article presents a case of using spinal cord stimulation in the management of chronic renal pain secondary to uretero-pelvic junction obstruction.DesignCase report.SettingAcademic University Pain Management CenterMethodsA 38-year old female presented with a 15-year history of persistent right sided flank pain secondary to congenital uretero-pelvic junction obstruction. After failing to respond adequately to stenting, medications and nerve blocks, a trial of spinal cord stimulation and subsequent permanent implantation of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) were performed.ResultsThe patient reported significant improvement in pain, overall functioning and no consumption of opioids during the SCS trial and following system implant.LimitationsA case report.ConclusionSpinal cord stimulation might be an option in the management of chronic renal pain secondary to uretero-pelvic junction obstruction.

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